The best physicians are multidimensional

No, this is not a science fiction reference.  Rather this represents, at least in my mind, the many skills necessary to become a superb clinician.  I write this from the perspective of an internist, but I believe these skills are not specialty specific. History taker – most patient encounters start with taking a thorough history.  We have to learn how to ask questions and varying our words according to the patient’s background.  We take a different history from a college graduate than we do from a rural farmer.  History taking also requires understanding what each answer means and what follow-up questions those answers indicate.  The best physicians also read body language and understand when to probe and when to wait for the patient to continue. Physical examination – not all situations benefit from the physical exam.  Contrary to some experts, I believe the physical exam helps in some patients.  I have made diagnoses primarily because a physical finding prompted a specific diagnostic process. Test interpretation – even though we seemingly rely on testing more in 2017 than 1975 when I was an intern, many physicians lack test interpretation expertise.  This deficiency seems strange given the success of the CSI franchise.  Too often I see tests ordered, and the results not interpreted or interpreted incorrectly. Clinical reasoning – the process of understanding all the clues and working towards a diagnosis.  We know that diagnosis is j...
Source: DB's Medical Rants - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: Medical Rants Source Type: blogs